Aggies Hire Eric Hyman as New AD

photo credit: abcnews4.com

Eric Hyman is leaving the University of South Carolina to become the new Athletic Director at Texas A&M. He replaces Bill Byrne, who retired in May. The hire comes just days before Texas A&M officially joins the SEC. Hyman has the skills and experience needed to sustain and improve Texas A&M’s success.

Hyman turned perennial underachiever South Carolina into one of the SEC’s most successful athletic departments. South Carolina reached their first ever SEC Football Championship Game in 2010. He helped bring the Gamecocks their first national titles in a men’s sport when the baseball team won the College World Series in 2010 and repeated in 2011. He oversaw huge construction and renovation projects with USC’s facilities; experience that will be extremely useful when he helps undertake the renovation of Kyle Field following the 2013 season. He has shown success in choosing head coaches, such as Gary Patterson at TCU and Frank Martin for South Carolina.

However, the most valuable asset Hyman brings to A&M is his knowledge and experience with the SEC. His familiarity with SEC policies, and the relationships he has throughout the conference, will make A&M’s transition much smoother.

Hyman will be taking over an athletic department has finished in the top 10 in the Directors’ Cup standings the past 3 years. However, Aggie football has struggled to maintain relevancy for over a decade. He will be pressured to help bring success to Kevin Sumlin and the football team. Because of the success he brought to South Carolina, Aggie baseball fans will expect the baseball team in Omaha on a more regular basis.

Hyman will be formally introduced as the new Aggie AD Saturday at a 4pm press conference.

Elliott Crowe
Elliott is a Proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2013. Growing up, Elliott learned to love football by watching his West Texas high school play under the Friday Night Lights. He is excited to cover Texas A&M as they enter the SEC.